The New Witch In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in witchcraft and the occult. However, this new wave of witchcraft is not like the traditional image of the wicked witch casting spells in a dark forest. The new witch is modern, empowered, and independent. She is not afraid to embrace her true self and harness her own magic. The new witch is not defined by gender, age, or appearance. She can be anyone – a young woman, an old man, a non-binary person, or anyone in between.
TRAFFIC NOTICE
In support of the Red River Alignment Project for the new Moody Center, please be advised there will be on-going construction and detours surrounding the Texas Performing Arts venues. Visit the Directions and Parking page for the most up to date information on expected traffic congestion and road closures.
This extraordinary evening of magic unplugged features Criss and some of his amazing friends with a stripped-down purity that s in-your-face and guaranteed to blow your mind. You have just a group of people just these incredible actors and performers coming together, the best of the best each in their respective disciplines to create the most mind-blowing magic show out there.
She can be anyone – a young woman, an old man, a non-binary person, or anyone in between. What makes someone a witch is not their physical characteristics, but their connection to the spiritual realm and their ability to tap into the unseen forces of the universe. One of the defining characteristics of the new witch is her empowerment.
HES Makes Magic with Criss Angel’s Mindfreak
Criss Angel’s Mindfreak at Planet Hollywood Resort Casino is a spectacle of sight and sound, featuring mind-blowing illusions in the first immersive Las Vegas show. As the creator, director and executive producer of the show, Angel spent years working on building a most technologically advanced show. For a production that’s running for at least five years, there can be no surprises when it comes to lighting – it has to be consistent.
That’s why Lighting Designer Josh Selander wanted to incorporate High-End Systems’ line of LED automated luminaires and special effects into the more than 2,000 lights in the show. The rig contains 100 SolaHyBeam 1000s, 37 SolaHyBeam 2000s, and for special effects, 22 QUADs and 9 HEX, all supplied through Blue Planet Lighting in Las Vegas.
“Having an LED luminaire is important to help keep the show consistent and have the nightly production team worry less about the colour temperature, output or quality of light of a standard discharge lamp,” Selander said.
Said Angel, “Mindfreak undisputedly boasts the largest and most sophisticated lighting plot in theatre history and HES played an integral and competitive role – alongside the very best that lighting technology has to offer.”
Having worked with Criss before, the LD understands how to light this all-new spectacle of 75 iconic illusions and many special effects. To enhance that, Angel made it his goal for this production to be “the most immersive experience in Las Vegas – or the world, for that matter – with a lighting rig that would give us endless options.”
To supplement Angel’s massive personally-owned lighting inventory, Selander sought a fixture with a big beam and aperture, that was also quick and had shutters.
He found that with the SolaHyBeams – a hybrid wash, spot and animation fixture. He positioned the 37 SolaHyBeam 2000s mostly onstage, on over-stage trusses, ladders, towers and on the deck.
“The fat beams are ideal for visuals and accents throughout the show, especially considering the over half a billion pixels of video and projection content they shoot through,” Selander noted.
As the SolaHyBeams are the only shuttered light in the entire rig, they get heavy use during specific moments. “The shutters are quick, consistent and accurate through power-ups day in and out. Having over-stage electrics, ladders and towers with various trim heights – from kissing the deck to grid height – we needed a wide zoom range that could reliably keep gobos and shutters in focus.”
Its brightness is a benefit, he added. “Since much of the show has quick fades and transitions, the SolaHyBeam 2000s deliver smooth fades even at the low end.”
The additional 100 SolaHyBeam 1000 fixtures are on 300-foot “fingers” of LED video tile over the seats to make the audience a part of the show – not just spectators. “In some cases, these fixtures became key for front light; as Criss continued to add elements we had to alter positions I had originally intended to use for face lighting. Whether it was the 1000 or 2000, the SolaHyBeam proved to not only be a great beam but could also diffuse out to make a nice, even front wash.”
Two special effects fixtures, the HEX and the QUAD, “punch through the air in such a different way than any other fixture in the rig,” Selander said. The six-light LED bar fixture HEX – clustered toward centre stage – is “by far one of the stars of the lighting rig with its powerful presence.” The QUAD – a four LED light fixture offering ACL searchlight effects – creates a whirling searchlight or collimated beam to stir up crowd response.
“The QUADs are small, bright and fast,” he noted. “These fixtures can whip around faster than your eye can chase, which allowed us to make some club-style cues for a few moments. The show actually starts with two QUADs facing the audience panning as if they are alive—still one of my favourite moments in the entire production. For this music-driven show – switching between subtle to hard rock and EDM – they definitely help define the emotions Criss wants the audience to feel, the faster and louder the show gets.”
The show’s grand opening was in January, and it runs through 2023. Selander designed and programmed the show on an EOS TI console, operated by Brian Rush. Head electrician is Mike Pizzi. ETC lighting and automated rigging are found throughout the theatre and interactive lobby.
Of the more than 2,000 lights in the production, 633 are moving lights. Selander said, “Never once did Criss question why we needed so many moving lights, only asking ‘is this going to be enough?’ Criss created this show to be bigger, brighter and better. This show has more lights than any other show. It’s an LD’s dream.”
“Everything is good — going as well as can be expected,” Angel says. “I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and well wishes. They’re very much appreciated, and the outpouring has been amazing.”
She rejects societal norms and takes control of her own life. She knows that she has the power to create her own reality and manifest her desires. She is not afraid to speak her mind and stand up for what she believes in. She uses her magic to bring about positive change in her own life and the lives of others. The new witch also embraces the natural world. She understands the power of the elements – earth, air, fire, and water – and works in harmony with them. She respects and protects the environment, recognizing that all living things are interconnected. She uses herbs, crystals, and other natural materials in her rituals and spells, harnessing the energy of the earth to bring about healing and transformation. In addition to her connection to nature, the new witch is also deeply connected to her intuition and inner wisdom. She trusts her instincts and listens to her inner voice. She uses divination tools like tarot cards, runes, or pendulums to gain insight and guidance. She believes in the power of synchronicity and signs from the universe, and she uses them to navigate her path. The new witch is not afraid of her own power. She knows that she has the ability to create change and make a difference in the world. She embraces her own strength and uses it to empower others. She is a force for good, using her magic for healing, compassion, and justice. In conclusion, the new witch is a symbol of empowerment, independence, and connection. She rejects societal norms and embraces her own unique path. She is in tune with nature, her intuition, and her own power. She is not afraid to be herself and uses her magic to bring about positive change. The new witch is a symbol of the modern witchcraft movement and a powerful force in the world today..
Reviews for "From Old Traditions to New Spells: The Transformation of Witchcraft"
1. John - 2 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "The New Witch". I was really looking forward to this show based on all the hype, but it just fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and all over the place, and the characters were poorly developed. I found myself losing interest within the first few episodes and struggled to finish it. Overall, I just didn't find it engaging or enjoyable.
2. Emily - 1 star - I have to say, "The New Witch" was a complete waste of time for me. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the acting was subpar at best. The storyline lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced. I couldn't understand the motivations behind some of the characters' actions, and it left me feeling frustrated. I would not recommend this show to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - I wanted to like "The New Witch" because I'm a fan of the genre, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the plot twists were predictable. The special effects were also underwhelming and looked cheap. While the concept had potential, it was poorly executed. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing and forgettable series.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "The New Witch" to be incredibly cliché and lacking originality. It felt like I had seen this story a hundred times before, and there was nothing unique or innovative about it. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue was cheesy. I was hoping for something fresh and exciting, but instead, I got a generic and forgettable show. I would not recommend wasting your time with it.